This has to be a joke. I can't believe that this dude would be so spiteful towards the publisher. I think that Archie will find a way around it, either through monetary compensation or outright challenging it in court. Panders is showing the maturity of a small, over privileged child. Such unprofessionalism is disgusting.

At this time, anyone distributing and selling copies of SONIC ARCHIVES Nos. 3 through 13, SONIC SELECT Nos. 1 and 2, as well as any of the latest issues of SONIC THE HEDGEHOG and SONIC UNIVERSE that feature my characters in any way, shape or form will be asked to cease and desist or else risk facing the consequences. This includes any version of said material, which also includes my original works, which sees release in any format beyond the original published comic books, including but not limited to digital downloads. (Yes, the iTunes and iPhones stores distributing my stories are currently infringing my copyrights, and are in the process of being made aware of this infringement.)

How is this even possible? There's no way he could actually own any of these characters when they're all essentially Knuckles with optional gender swaps and accessories tacked on. Geoffrey is practically the only remotely original character he could lay claim to. He's going to crash and burn spectacularly.

UPDATE: Obviously, I was concerned what this might mean for the book. Having spoken to the editors, I've been told that the lawyers have the situation well in hand and that I - and you all - having nothing to worry about.

Andlabs raises a valid point. If I know my Sonic history correctly, the SatAm television show came first. Since Penders wasn't a part of that creative team, he can't lay a claim. Especially since Archie either licensed or (more likely) outright bought the characters and concepts therein. Not to mention that if Archie didn't copyright the stories, they would be public domain. Usually (or always) part of a story copyright includes the phrase "and all characters therein are the property of Archie Comics Incorporated". He very likely has no claim. If he did this a decade ago it would be a different story, but as it stands there is a good chance that his claim to the story and characters will not stand in court.